I actually learned a lot from this thread, so I for one am glad you started it.

I just today broke in my LPA-1 on my new M80s. Had some shutdown problems which was traced to some loose speaker terminals. After that, I gave it a real workout. Had the LMC/LPA at maximum level for about an hour (had a few beers in me ), was watching action scenes in the Matrix and EpIII. Then it shut down. I walked over and put my hand on the top, boy it was hot as hell! So I figured the thermal limiter had kicked in. I don't know the SPLs I was running, but I could sense my hearing distorting...if you wanted to say something to me, you would have to of shouted in my ear...and I might have heard it. I wonder with a little ventilation if it would sustain this level indefinately...right now it is on the bottom of an old end table with no circulating air...aybe this would be a good experiment for me. Anyway, the unit came back on and had no issues running at sane levels right away.

I think Emo really shows a high level of dedication to their customers. They worked with you extensively and even chimed in here...after reading this whole thread I concur that your needs simply exceed what this amp can do.

Question - what kind of power are we talking here to get the SPLs you are looking for in an 8000 cubic foot room?

As an Emotiva owner myself, I think this is a great thread. You're having a problem, and we're all working through it. Seeing Dan logged in here is rather interesting. Damage control on the one side, but also nice that he's taking an interest. Right in line with the couple of email/forum discussions I've had with he and Lonnie. Customer service that's on par with Axiom, and that's high praise.

Sirquack, what you ought to do is purchase a different amp of similar rating that has a full money back return policy. Like an Outlaw 7200 or 7500. Obviously this requires some financial outlay (it's so easy to spend other people's money!), but you would certainly return one or the other at the end of the test.

Run it at the same level as the MPS-1 and see if you get any shutdown problems. If you do, well, then we'll all learn that it truly isn't an amp problem, but just the size of the room and the volume you are trying to drive. Simple physics. If you don't have shutdown problems, then we all learn that Outlaw (or whatever) > Emotiva, that not all amps are created equally, and that 200w != 200w. There's no better time to evaluate equipment than when you have a known, reproducable flaw. We can argue until the cows come home about sound quality or watts produced, but direct evidence that one amp can push out more power for longer periods of time than the other, or that both shutdown at about the same volume is pretty cut-and-dry.

The point is, it's now mostly conclusive that there's nothing wrong with your MPS-1, and that the MPS-1 in general doesn't have a problem (according to Emotiva). You are still having shutdown problems. Therefore, the MPS-1 doesn't meet your needs. Hard to believe that such a monster amp system wouldn't be enough for anyone, but there it is. I'm not an electical engineer, so I still find it hard to understand why your Denon AVR doesn't seem to have the same problem.

I work in IT as a System Administrator, however, my major was Accounting for my first year in college.

Just to let everyone know, Tharkun, who used to frequent this forum had shutdown problems with Outlaw and Parasound multi channel amps driving 5 m80's also. His room is about my size. It was not until he went to a 2-channel Halo Parasound amp that he has had no problems.

What is sad is that I can run my Denon by itself at higher volume levels with no problems. +3 is really not asking much, and we are talking a 300 watt amp versus 100 watt AVR.

Another thing I have not mentioned. The mps-1 does not shutdown using my Qs8 6ohm speakers, or another guy at work's m60's 8ohm. He brought them over this last weekend since I don't own my m60's anymore. Just driving the m80's is the issue. oh well

The problem with all this is that the MPS is supposed to be stable down to 2 ohms. Obviously 4 ohm speakers pull more current than 8 ohm, which will stress the amp. You're saying it's fine with 8, fine with 6, but not fine with 4. What would 2ohm speakers be like? That worries me a bit regarding the specs of the amp, and this is supposed to be their flagship product.

It's pretty clear to me that you probably ought to just send the MPS back and call it a learning experience. If your Denon works, why not just enjoy it? I like to tinker as much as the next guy, but it seems that this situation is causing quite a bit more grief than it should. This hobby is supposed to be fun!

But I'm still curious if bi-amping your M80's would help the situation....

Quote:Another thing I have not mentioned. The mps-1 does not shutdown using my Qs8 6ohm speakers, or another guy at work's m60's 8ohm. He brought them over this last weekend since I don't own my m60's anymore. Just driving the m80's is the issue. oh well

I was able to go beyond the SPL point with the m60's with no problems where the m80's were shutting down. In regards to 2 ohm, I was told by Lonnie when I brought that up that he was suprised this was on the website, and I believe was going to have it removed.

Ted on AV123 is still having a problem with his Ref 1 bookshelfs (4ohm). Emotiva is having Mark Schifter send them some Ref 1's. They are now thinking it is related to the crossovers or something. They asked if Axiom would give them a schematic of the m80 crossover, this was not available per my email to Axiom for obvious reasons.